Paint brush having supplemental reservoir

ABSTRACT

An improvement in bristle-type paint brushes with a rectangular cross section in the nature of a supplemental reservoir therefor, characterized by the provision of generally short pile fabric on a flexible or resilient backing positioned adjacent the opposite faces of the bristle bundle, with the fibrous elements of the pile normally extending transversely to the extent of the brush bristles or slightly tilted in the direction of the free end of the bristles.

United States Patent Inventor Erik Henningsen Milwaukee, Wis. 10,253

Feb. 10, 1970 Jan. 11, 1972 E2 Paintr Corporation Appl. No. FiledPatented Assignee PAINT BRUSH HAVING SUPPLEMENTAL RESERVOIR 7 Claims, 6Drawing Flgs.

U.S. Cl 15/114, 15/169 Int. Cl A46b 11/00 A46b 17/04 Field of Search 15/i 06, f

s [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,602,947 7/1952 Soss15/247 X 2,936,473 5/1960 Karnes 15/114 X 2,961,681 11/1960 Terzian15/247 X 3,394,423 7/1968 Bischoff I5/l 14 Primary Examiner-Daniel BlumI Attorney-Hofgren, Wegner, Allen, Stellman & McCord ABSTRACT: Animprovement in bristle-type paint brushes with a rectangular crosssection in the nature of a supplemental reservoir therefor,characterized by the provision of generally short pile fabric on aflexible or resilient backing positioned adjacent the opposite faces ofthe bristle bundle,

with the fibrous elements of the pile normally extending transversely tothe extent of the brush bristles or slightly tilted in the direction ofthe free end of the bristles.

PAINT BRUSH HAVING SUPPLEMENTAL RESERVOIR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1.Field of the Invention This invention relates to paint applicating toolsand, more particularly, to a supplemental reservoir element for use withpaint brushes.

2. Brief Description of the Prior Art Generally speaking, most paintbrushes include a handle terminating in a medial or ferrule portion witha bundle of bristles gathered in, and secured to the ferrule portion.

The characteristics and performance of paint brushes may be changed byproviding bristle material of different lengths, shape and blend ofbristles, or by changing the number and size of plugs, which leavesvoids or pockets in the area within the bundle of bristles. However, theability of a brush to pick up and transfer paint is rather limitedcompared with the now popular roller and pad applicators, and there is aneed and a desire to increase these characteristics of paint brushes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention is directed, in brief, to theprovision of a supplemental paint-holding appliance or reservoir for usewith bristle-type paint brushes.

The best mode currently contemplated by me for carrying out theinvention comprises the provision of sheetlike flexible elements ofshort pile fabric disposed on opposite faces of the bundle of bristlewith the fabric material being positioned to terminate short of thebristle tips. Furthermore, it is preferable for the fibers of the pilefabric to be oriented generally transversely to that of the bristles ofthe paint brush, or slightly tilted in the direction of the free end ofthe bristles.

Several means may be provided for the installation, adjusting andremoval of the supplemental appliance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front view of a paintbrush utilizing the supple mental appliance of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross section taken generally along line 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of a paint brush utilizing another form of thesupplemental appliance of this invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross section taken generally along line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a front view of a paint brush incorporating the supplementalappliance of this invention; and

FIG. 6 is a cross section taken generally along line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many differentforms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described indetail different embodiments therefor, with the understanding that thepresent disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of theprinciples of the invention and is not intended to limit the inventionto the embodiment illustrated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring first to FIGS. 1and 2, the brush 10 includes the usual handle 12 connected to a ferruleportion 14. A bundle of bristles 16 having opposite faces 16a and 16b,and opposite sides 16c and 16d is secured within the ferrule 14 at oneend by suitable means, such as by means of a plug and epoxy. The bristlebundle terminates at a free end or a tip 18. Enveloping the oppositefaces 16a and 16b of the bristles 16 is the supplementor reservoir 20 ofthis invention.

Supplement 20 includes a thin, planar back 22 of flexible material, withan outwardly extending pile portion 24. If preferred, material 22 may benonabsorbent. Pile portion 24 is preferably made up of a plurality offibers 26 which are generally short and preferably transverse in extentto the length of the bristles 16 or slightly tilted in the direction ofthe free end 18. In the illustrated embodiment, the fibers 26 are shownas being generally straight and substantially perpendicular relative tothe length of the back 22. It is to be understood that it is intendedthat these fibers would be considered to be generally upright andinclude fibers which initially project outwardly from the backing memberand may terminate in free ends which are somewhat twisted or matted.Opposite ends 30a and 30b of the reservoir 20 preferably terminate shortof the bristle bundle tip 18.

The reservoir 20 is removably connected to the brush 10 for selectiveuse therewith, and it can be adjusted up and down in the direction ofthe length of longitudinal extent of the bristles 16 to expose more orless of the tip 18 of the bristles if so desired.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the reservoir 20 is of a onepiece construction with a medial opening 32 for receiving the handle 12which may be impaled therethrough. The reservoir 20 is secured to thebrush 10 by means of a ferrule sleeve 34 having sides 34c and 34d andfaces 34a and 34b. The sides 34c and 34d mate snugly with adjacent areasof ferrule 14. The sleeve faces 34a and 34b closely mate with adjacentareas of ferrule 14 with but slight spacing, preferably less than thenormal cross section thickness of the reservoir 20.

The reservoir 20 is placed on the brush 10 by sliding the brush handle12 through the opening 32 of the reservoir 20. The reservoir 20 issecured to the brush by sliding the sleeve 34 over the brush handle 12and over the reservoir 20. Adjustment of the reservoir to expose more orless of the bristle end 18 can be done by axial movement of reservoir 20and sleeve 34 relative to ferrule 14. Removal of the reservoir 20 isdone by reversely sliding the reservoir 20 and sleeve 34 back over thebrush handle 12.

A modified form of this invention is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. There thebrush includes a handle portion 112, a ferrule portion 114, and a bundleof bristles 116. The bristle bundle has opposite faces 116a and 116b,opposite sides 1160 and 116d, and terminates in a free end or tip I18.There the supplement or reservoir 120 is also provided with a generallyplanar flexible back 122. The back is provided with a pile portion 124composed of fibers 126 preferably being short and extending generallytransverse to or slightly tilted in the direction of 118 of thelongitudinal bristle I16. Again, the opposite ends a and [30b of thereservoir I20 terminate short of the tip 118 of the bristle bundle. Thereservoir 120 is removably connected to the paint brush 110 forselective use therewith, and can be axially adjusted in the direction ofthe bristle 116 to expose more or less of the tip 118 of the bristle ifso desired. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the reservoir 120is in two identical parts 128a and 128b, rather than being onecontinuous sheetlike element as shown in the embodiment of FIGS. I and2.

In the structure shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the two parts 128a and 128b ofthe reservoir 120 are secured in a hooded ferrule sleeve 130, that fitsover the brush handle 112 and brush ferrule 114. The sleeve consists ofa hooded portion 130a with an opening 130b for the brush handle 112.Sleeve 130 includes two sidewalls 1300 and 130d and two inner faces l30eand l30f, and is of a size and shape to snugly matingly embrace brushferrule 114. Two outer faces 130g and 130k include two pockets 132a and132b in the sleeve, one for each of the reservoir parts 128a and 12%.Openings 133 are provided in each of outer faces 1303 and 130k. Wedgemembers 134a and 134b, are received in the space between outer faces130g and 130k and inner faces 130:? and l30f, respectively to clamp theparts 128a and l28b therein. Each wedge member 134a and 134b is providedwith spaced buttons or knobs 136 of a size, shape and spacing to snuglyfit in openings 133 (such as by a snap fit) when the wedges occupy thespace between the inner and outer faces. Thus, ferrule sleeve I30 andreservoir 120 are an assembly which can be placed on the brush 110 bytelescoping the same over the handle 112 and ferrule 114. This resultantunitary assembly may be axially adjusted relative to the ferrule 114 toexpose more or less of the bristle tip 118 and may be removed by reversetelescopic movement away from ferrule 114 and back over the brush handle112.

Another form of this invention is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. There thereservoir 220 is incorporated as part of the brush 210. The brushincludes a handle portion 212, a ferrule portion 214, and a bundle ofbristles 216. The bristle bundle has opposite faces 216a and 216b,opposite sides 216c and 216d and terminates in a tip 218. There thesupplement or reservoir 220 is also provided with a generally planar,flexible back 222. The back is provided with a pile portion composed offibers 226 preferably being short and generally transverse to, orslightly tilted in the direction of, the tip 218 of the bristle bundle216. Again, the opposite ends 230a and 230!) of the reservoir 220terminate short of the tip 218 of the bristle bundle 216. In theembodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the reservoir 220 in two parts, 228aand 228b, is permanently connected to the brush 210. Preferably, the twoparts 228a and 22% are secured to the brush ferrule 214 in the samemanner and at the same time as the bristle bundle 216, which securementis usually accomplished by means of one or more plugs 230 and epoxy 232.

The paint holding supplement or reservoir of this invention may be usedwith existing paint brush structures by means of the telescoping sleevearrangement for retaining the same as shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, orimproved paint brush structures especially suited for utilizing thissupplement as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. In either case, it permits the useof a well known and suitable tool common to the knowledge of many users,namely, a paint brush. When doing small areas of work or minor touchup,it might not be necessary to utilize the reservoir or supplement of thisinvention. However, when covering substantial areas, the use of thesupplement or reservoir of this invention is desirable.

it has been found that when the paint supplement or reservoir of thisinvention is assembled with ordinary paint brushes, the paint pickup andtransfer qualities are in many cases increased to at least double thatwith the brush without the reservoir. The brush is used in the ordinaryfashion. it is dipped into a paint holding container, such as thetypical paint can, to a point approximately halfway up the bristles orso. The ordinary paint applying stroke, namely a to and fro motion, isutilized to spread the paint. The short transverse fibers of thereservoir, while holding a relatively large quantity of paint, in no wayinterfere with the normal spreading process and it is believed by somethat the presence of this reservoir actually makes spreading orapplication strokes easier. By having the bottom or free ends of thesupplement terminate short of the tip of the bristle bundle, it permitsthe paint brush to continue to possess the high quality finishingcharacteristics that the bristle tips impart to the painting action.While it is believed that the flexible backing member might not benecessary, it is thought that it is advantageous in that it affords astability to the fibers so as to increase the longevity of thesupplement and make it easier to handle, to remove and clean. Also, thesupplement or reservoir may be relatively inexpensively manufactured sothat it could be substantially disposable after each use, ifdesired, toavoid the cleaning operation.

In the illustrated embodiment, the supplement ofthis invention has beenshown as connected over both faces of the bundle of bristles of thepaint brush. However, it is to be understood that improved paint holdingand transferring characteristics are obtained in those instances wherethe supplement covers only one face of the bristle bundle. While theperformance is not totally as good as obtained when both faces of thebristles are covered, there still exists improved paint holding andtransferring characteristics over that found with an ordinary brush.

Thus, with the supplement or reservoir of this invention, the desirablequalities of a paint brush are retained, namely, its versatility inpicking up paint from a diverse number of types of containers andversatility in being able to apply paint in many different surface confi urations, and yet the advantages of roller or pad-type applica ors,namely that of being able to pick up and transfer increased quantitiesof paint are added to the brush.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness ofunderstanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understoodtherefrom, as some modifications may be obvious to those skilled in theart.

lclaim:

1. In combination with a paint brush having a handle, a ferrule portionand a bundle of bristles connected to the ferrule portion and dependenttherefrom and terminating in a tip, a supplemental paint reservoircomprising a backing member for connection to the ferrule portion of apaint brush in dependency therefrom adjacent the opposite faces of thebristle bundle with the free ends of the backing member terminatingshort of the tip of the bristle bundle, the reservoir including a paintholding pile of projecting fibers extending generally transversely tothe length of the bristles of the bristle bundle; and means on theferrule portion for connecting the reservoir to the ferrule portion ofthe paint brush.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein the means for connecting thereservoir to the ferrule portion includes a movable clamping member onthe ferrule portion.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein the movable clamping membercomprises a sleevelike element telescopically related to the ferruleportion.

4. The combination of claim 8 wherein the sleevelike member has portionswhich generally matingly embrace the ferrule portion of the brush andpocket portions for snugly receiving the paint reservoir.

5. The combination of claim 1 wherein the means for releasablyconnecting the reservoir to the ferrule portion includes a sleeve of asize and shape to fit over the ferrule, with the sleeve having openingstherein and wedge members of a size and shape to fit within the sleeveopenings.

6. The combination of claim 9 wherein the pocket portions of thesleevelike member have wedge members therein for clamping the reservoir.

7. The combination of claim 6 wherein the reservoir is fixedly securedto the ferrule portion of the brush.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent 633 234Dated Januarv 11; 1972 Inventofls) Erik Hennincrsen It is certified thaterror appears in the above-identified patent and that said LettersPatent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Claim4, line 1, delete "8" and substitute -3-;

Claim 6, line 1, delete "9" and substitute -4.

Claim 7, line 1, delete "6" and substitute --l.

' Signed and sealed this 27th day of' June 1972.

(SEAL) Attest: I

EDWARD M.FLETCHER, JE. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer 7 Comissionerof Patents FORM PO-105O (10-69) USCOMM-DC 60376-P69 1 US GOVERNMENTPRINTING OFFICE I969 0-366-334

1. In combination with a paint brush having a handle, a ferrule portionand a bundle of bristles connected to the ferrule portion and dependenttherefrom and terminating in a tip, a supplemental paint reservoircomprising a backing member for connection to the ferrule portion of apaint brush in dependency therefrom adjacent the opposite faces of thebristle bundle with the free ends of the backing member terminatingshort of the tip of the bristle bundle, the reservoir including a paintholding pile of projecting fibers extending generally transversely tothe length of the bristles of the bristle bundle; and means on theferrule portion for connecting the reservoir to the ferrule portion ofthe paint brush.
 2. The combination of claim 1 wherein the means forconnecting the reservoir to the ferrule portion includes a movableclamping member on the ferrule portion.
 3. The combination of claim 2wherein the movable clamping member comprises a sleevelike elementtelescopically related to the ferrule portion.
 4. The combination ofclaim 8 wherein the sleevelike member has portions which generallymatingly embrace the ferrule portion of the brush and pocket portionsfor snugly receiving the paint reservoir.
 5. The combination of claim 1wherein the means for releasably connecting the reservoir to the ferruleportion includes a sleeve of a size and shape to fit over the ferrule,with the sleeve having openings therein and wedge members of a size andshape to fit within the sleeve openings.
 6. The combination of claim 9wherein the pocket portions of the sleevelike member have wedge memberstherein for clamping the reservoir.
 7. The combination of claim 6wherein the reservoir is fixedly secured to the ferrule portion of thebrush.